1. Alphabetical Order
Brookhaven Elementary Library

2. Most fiction books are
shelved by the author’s last
name.
• The Magic Tree House books are
written by Mary Pope Osborne.
• What is the author’s last name?
• It is Osborne.
• Where do we look for her books?
• In the Os.

3. We would look in the Os for Mary
Pope Osborne books.
• In the Easy Reader section
– Look for the Call Number
• In the Easy Picture book section
– Look for Call Number
• In the older Chapter book section
– Look for Call Number
• In the Paperback section
ER
OSB
EP
OSB
FIC
OSB
PB
OSB

4. Easy Easy Fiction Paperback
Notice that the top part of the call number changes
depending on the section.
But the bottom stays the same. (OSB for the first three
letters of the author’s last name.)
Look at the Spine Labels
ER
OSB
EP
OSB
FIC
OSB
PB
OSB

5. All the Easy Readers are in alphabetical order
according to the author’s last name. Look at
these labels:
Look at the Spine Labels
ER
ARN
ER
HAY
ER
JON
ER
OSB
ER
THA

6. Now You Try
• Put the spine label cards on your table in
alphabetical order.
• © 2013 by Lynda Martin
• Users may modify with attribution for
classroom use.